Santa Rosa, Calif.—Can something as simple as eating oranges protect men from prostate cancer? No, but according to a new study published in The Prostate, patients taking modified citrus pectin, a carbohydrate derived from the peel of citrus fruit, may slow the progression of prostate cancer. Phase II clinical research published in The Prostate (“Using Splines to Detect Changes in PSA Doubling Times,” February 1, 2003), validated a new statistical method of evaluating the effectiveness of any nutritional supplement or drug. While the statistical method was peer-reviewed, the methods and results of the clinical trial were not. However all the preliminary data was presented and from a clinical perspective, the results, according to medical researchers, are very encouraging. This data indicates that PectaSol® Modified Citrus Pectin significantly slowed the progression of prostate cancer as indicated by the slowing of PSA progression. Patients with slower PSA progression live longer and have a better chance of overcoming prostate cancer.

The report is based on a carefully controlled study conducted by researchers at the Prostate Cancer Research Institute and Healing Touch Oncology that included one year of treatment and follow up time. All of the patients selected for the study showed biochemical PSA failure after primary treatment, i.e. radical prostatectomy, radiation or cryosurgery. Patients were provided with 15 grams of PectaSol® Modified Citrus Pectin (EcoNugenics®, Inc. Santa Rosa, Calif.) per day in three divided oral doses. Modified Citrus Pectin was shown to slow the progression of prostate cancer in 9 out of 12 patients as measured by changes in PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) levels.

“The results of The Prostate study are very encouraging. It shows that PectaSol Modified Citrus Pectin works on prostate cancer,” said Isaac Eliaz, MD, a leader in the field of integrative medicine. Dr. Eliaz maintains a private practice in northern California, focusing primarily on treating cancer patients and is the founder of EcoNugenics, the dietary supplement company that provided PectaSol for the study. Dr. Eliaz also holds two patents (nos. 6,462,029 and 6,274,566) developing a unique composition of modified citrus pectin for treatment of diseases.

“This is the second human clinical trial that has demonstrated the effectiveness of PectaSol MCP in slowing the progression of prostate cancer” Dr. Eliaz said. The earlier Phase I clinical study conducted in 1999 by Stephen Strum, MD and Mark Scholz, MD (presented at the International Conference on Diet and Prevention of Cancer) demonstrated that Modified Citrus Pectin significantly lengthened the PSA doubling time in four of seven patients.

Dr. Strum, a renowned prostate cancer oncologist, is the author of the recently published book, A Primer on Prostate Cancer: The Empowered Patient's Guide. “Modified Citrus Pectin is a natural substance, it’s non-toxic and it has been shown to slow down the progression of prostate cancer,” said Dr. Stephen Strum. “I recommend MCP selectively to patients who have a high risk of recurrence of prostate cancer after any primary treatment. I also recommend MCP for those who have shown a slow, persistent rise of PSA levels that is consistent with established prostate cancer recurrence,” Strum said.

Additional research suggests that MCP can be used for a wide range of cancers. New in vivo research published last month in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (Pratima Nangia-Makker, et. al., “Inhibition of human cancer cell growth and metastasis in nude mice by oral intake of modified citrus pectin,” December 18, 2002;94:1854-1862) demonstrates that modified citrus pectin reduces tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis in tumors that contain galectin-3 molecules, including breast and colon cancer.

Citrus Pectin is a complex carbohydrate found in the peel of citrus fruit. Modified Citrus Pectin is a carbohydrate that has been altered to form shorter chain molecules for better absorption through the digestive tract into the bloodstream. Modified Citrus Pectin has been shown to reduce cancer metastasis in animal studies, and has demonstrated cancer cell killing abilities. Cancer cells are known to have certain cancer specific protein molecules on their surface that allow it to spread and grow. Modified Citrus Pectin is thought to bind to galectin-3, a select class of these cancer specific molecules, preventing the cancer from functioning normally and causing it to self-destruct.

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in American men. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 189,000 new cases of prostate cancer were reported in 2002. More than 30,000 men died of prostate cancer last year compared to approximately 40,000 deaths of women due to breast cancer.

About Better Health PublishingBetter Health Publishing (BHP), a Santa Rosa-based educational company, is dedicated to providing responsible information and updates of scientific research on integrative therapies to health care professionals and individuals interested in self-care. The company was founded by Dr. Isaac Eliaz, a pioneer in the field of integrative medicine since the early 1980’s. The company sponsors educational websites including www.dreliaz.com and www.betterprostatehealth.com.

About Prostate Cancer Research InstituteProstate Cancer Research Institute (PCRI), a Los Angeles-based non-profit educational organization, is dedicated to improving the care of men with prostate cancer and increasing both quality and quantity of life. PCRI was founded in 1996 by medical oncologists Stephen B. Strum and Mark C. Scholz, internationally recognized prostate cancer specialists, with support from the Freeman Hospitals Foundation. PCRI believes patient education about prostate cancer can empower men to seek an earlier diagnosis and know the pros and cons of their treatment options. PCRI suggests only the most effective treatments and those that limit possible risks for complications or side effects.